OHL Weekend Notebook: September 23, 2019

 

The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Here are 10 of the leading stories from #OHLOpeningWeek.

Goals, Goals, Goals…
It was a high-scoring start to the 2019-20 OHL season as teams scored six goals or more eight different times including a pair from both the Peterborough Petes and Soo Greyhounds. Leading the way in the goal-scoring department were Barrie’s Matej Pekar (5-1–6) and Sudbury’s Quinton Byfield (5-1–6) while Flint’s Jake Durham trailed close behind (4-1–5). Peterborough’s Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (0-7–7) took OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week honours, leading the league with seven points.

First #OHL hat-trick for @mpekar10 ????????????@BuffaloSabres prospect caps off his trio with a goal from his knees, leading the @OHLBarrieColts to victory in slick new 25th anniversary threads ???? pic.twitter.com/nlx5U7DTSx

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) September 22, 2019

Big names remain with NHL clubs
The 2019-20 OHL season is underway and several teams remain without big names. A total of 18 returning-eligible OHL players remain with NHL clubs as of Monday, nine of them non-overage names such as Ryan Suzuki (Barrie/Carolina), Ty Dellandrea (Flint/Dallas), Adam Boqvist (London/Chicago), Alec Regula (London/Detroit), Thomas Harley (Mississauga/Dallas), Ryan Merkley (Peterborough/San Jose), Bode Wilde (Saginaw/NY Islanders) and Barrett Hayton (Soo/Arizona). For the full list, click here.

All smiles for the 2019 first round pick ????#GoStars pic.twitter.com/BY4gdo0WTR

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 23, 2019

Drysdale enters Otters record book
Draft eligible defenceman Jamie Drysdale entered the Erie Otters franchise record book this past weekend with his five-point performance on Saturday in Hamilton. The Otters got off to their first 2-0 start since 2015-16, defeating the Bulldogs 8-5 as Drysdale accompanied Steve Montador and David Froh with five points by a defenceman in a single game. Drysdale, who captained Canada’s National Under-18 Team to a silver medal this past summer, leads OHL blueliners with five points.

#CHL Player of the Night is 2020 #NHLDraft prospect Jamie Drysdale who lit up #OHLOpeningWeek with a 5️⃣ point performance tying an @ErieOtters single game record for defencemen: https://t.co/VpQokilQuR pic.twitter.com/w0LKkPGWQ6

— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) September 22, 2019

Firebirds get big boost with win over rival Spirit
Facing a potential 0-2 start square in the face, the Flint Firebirds pulled off a 4-1 road win over the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday, getting a hat-trick from overage winger Jake Durham. The ‘Birds bore witness to Saginaw’s West Division championship banner raising ceremony to start the night, but came away victorious as newly acquired goaltender Anthony Popovich made 34 saves. The Firebirds went 0-8 against the Spirit last season, but if Saturday was any indication, the I-75 Divide Cup is going to be intense in 2019-20.

First hat-trick of #OHLOpeningWeek goes to @jakedurham_12 ????????????

Overage winger powers the @FlintFirebirds to victory over rival Saginaw. pic.twitter.com/RSRBKJKPoi

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) September 22, 2019

Greaves, Silovs stand tall for Colts
The Barrie Colts are off to a 2-0 start, defeating North Bay and London on back-to-back nights. Jet Greaves got things started with a 29-save shutout effort in North Bay before Vancouver Canucks prospect Arturs Silovs made his OHL debut, turning aside 37 of 39 in a 6-2 win over visiting London on Saturday. Silovs, who signed an entry-level deal with Vancouver last month, was a sixth round pick by the Canucks this past summer.

Check out the mask that Jet Greaves will be wearing this season! Wow!! pic.twitter.com/LR8CyLFPeX

— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) September 21, 2019

Tynan makes strong first impression with IceDogs
Tucker Tynan took over for an injured Christian Sbaraglia on Thursday night in Niagara, turning aside 11 of 12 shots that came his way to earn his first OHL victory as the IceDogs defeated the Sudbury Wolves 6-3. The 17-year-old from Chicago, Ill. followed his debut up with a 38-save showing on Friday night in Mississauga as the IceDogs improved to 2-0 in a 3-1 win. Originally a 10th round pick of the IceDogs in 2018, Tynan spent last season with the New Jersey Rockets of the NCDC.

Game 2️⃣. Win 2️⃣#IceDogs pic.twitter.com/Ig8xjtiFvj

— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) September 21, 2019

Hawel puts playmaking prowess on display for Rangers
He’s spent the past two seasons playing against them, but Liam Hawel‘s first game as a Kitchener Ranger didn’t disappoint as the 6-foot-4 centreman racked up three assists, pitching in on goals by Jonathan Yantsis (2) and Francesco Pinelli. The Blue Shirts won their home opener, defeating the Saginaw Spirit 5-4 and Hawel earned third star honours. The former OHL champion impressed the Montreal Canadiens in their rookie camp this past month and earned an invitation to the team’s main camp.

Welcome to Kitchener @hawel24!

From rival to @OHLRangers setup man, big overage forward racked up 3️⃣???? in his Blueshirts debut including this #BestOfOHL effort. pic.twitter.com/X2AA61IgFy

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) September 21, 2019

67’s sneak out a pair of road shootout wins
The Ottawa 67’s return home with four points, taking shootout wins in Guelph and Owen Sound as Cedrick Andree stood tall to secure a pair of extra points. The 67’s play six of their first seven games on the road before a six-game home stand in mid-October. They’re off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2011-12.

The Ottawa 67’s are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since the 2011/12 season. Funny thing is they have not lead in either game at any point, winning both games in the shootout.

— Kenny Walls (@LongBallsWalls) September 22, 2019

MacLean wins Generals debut
Newly acquired goaltender Andrew MacLean got the opening night nod for the Oshawa Generals in Kingston on Friday, making 25 saves in a 4-1 victory. The 18-year-old Port Huron, Mich. native was 11-12-0-1 with a 4.36 goals-against average and .869 save percentage in 32 games with Owen Sound last season.

A solid first start in the new threads for @amaclean01 ????#OSHvsKGN pic.twitter.com/1RJqb8Qpnx

— Oshawa Generals (@Oshawa_Generals) September 21, 2019

Knights without Foudy for 4-6 weeks
The London Knights had a forgettable start to the 2019-20 season, dropping consecutive decisions to Peterborough and Barrie. They’re without Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Liam Foudy who is out for 4-6 weeks with an upper body injury he suffered at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament. The 19-year-old recorded 68 points (36-32–68) in 62 games with the Knights last season. On a positive note, defenceman Alec Regula returned to the ice with the Detroit Red Wings on Monday after recovering from an injury sustained in Traverse City.

#RedWings Alec Regula skates with Jarid Lukosevicius and Alec McCrea. pic.twitter.com/vQHjAc8PAk

— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) September 23, 2019